UCL: One away goal can change everything in the second legs

We’ve got a brilliant set of second leg quarter finals to tuck into this week as the Champions League takes centre stage. Those first legs were fun to watch with attacking football on tap and the second legs are here with a booster. 

Bayern Munich v PSG was undoubtedly the game of the round last week. It was end to end football of the highest calibre. A PSG side whose sole aim is to win this tournament went out with all guns blazing, and Bayern, never pushovers, did their best to keep up. Two away goals for the French side gives them that slight advantage and gives this tie even more significance. 

Bayern’s injury concerns weren’t eased over the weekend. As no less than seven players look set to miss out in an injury list that includes the lethal Lewandowski, Gnabry, Goretzka and Hernandez. 

The first leg went the Parisians’ way, but let’s put the victory into context. Bayern managed 31 shots against PSG. 12 of which were on target and you can only imagine what would have been had Lewandowski been on the pitch. PSG’s 36% ball possession was insanely low, but their efficiency up front was the key factor last week. 5 shots on target brought 3 goals and when all is said and done, that’s the key stat. 

PSG welcome Bayern with a significant advantage, but an away goal can spark this second leg into life. This will all be about game management for Mauricio Pochettino’s side. We know Bayern will attack ruthlessly again, but how will PSG respond to that? 

It’s anyone’s guess but let’s put this in perspective. Both teams not to score is priced at 21/10 or 3.1, while a draw (which favours the hosts) is yours at 3/1 or 4.00.

Plain sailing for the Blues

A 2-0 away win for Chelsea in the first leg should really mean they are home and dry. 90 minutes of solid, no-risk football will get them over the line in London and their confidence will be high after an impressive 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace in the league. We don’t expect much from this game, of course, unless Porto do score first and they are priced at 18/5 or 4.6 to score first and win the match… but not the tie. This should be plain sailing for Chelsea and Tuchel’s experience in this competition will benefit the Blues brilliantly. 

That away goal can boost Dortmund

Football fans will be pining for the famous Yellow Wall at Dortmund but with no crowds to watch this one, we might be robbed of a classic. Sure Manchester City won the first leg 2-1 but that away goal gives a lifeline for the German outfit. Dortmund know it’s not over and with Eling Braut Haaland in their ranks anything is possible. He loves this tournament and even has the anthem as his alarm ringtone. If Dortmund do score first, alarm bells will ring and a 1-0 would mean Borussia Dortmund would make the semi finals. Over to you Pep! 

Odds: Dortmund 1-0 Manchester City: 16/1 or 17.00

Don’t bring out the red carpet again, Reds!

The first leg of Real Madrid v Liverpool was quite impressive. Liverpool’s defence seemed to have rolled out the red carpet and all Madrid had to do was gratefully score three goals. Terrible defending, and poor attacking play saw Liverpool only muster up the single shot on target, Salah’s goal. They were dominated in Madrid and once more the feeling is that in a packed Anfield a different outcome might await. 

Still, Real Madrid not only have the bit between their teeth but are chomping down on it hard. 3-1 was a brilliant first leg result and their 2-1 win in El Clasico gives them that extra spring in their step. We can’t look beyond Real Madrid. Even if Liverpool somehow win the game, Real’s two goal advantage should be enough to earn them a spot in the Champions League semi finals. 

Liverpool are only at 17/5 or 4.4 to go through… 

Our semi finalists:

• PSG
• Chelsea
• Borussia Dortmund
• Real Madrid

The draw would be: Real v Chelsea and PSG v Borussia Dortmund 

 

18+ | Play responsibly | Casumo Services Ltd is licensed by the MGA | MGA/CRP/217/2012 | rgf.org.mt